---
title: Bowen Island building permit fees
question: "How much does a building permit cost?"
place: Bowen Island, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/bowen-island
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: Bowen Island Municipality
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/building-permit-fees/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/building-permit-fees.json"
---

# Bowen Island building permit fees

**Question:** How much does a building permit cost?

**Short answer:** In Bowen Island Municipality the building permit application fee is the greater of $150 or 0.25% of the value of work, paid with the application. The permit fee is then $10 per $1,000 of value above $1,000, up to $150,000, under Building Bylaw No. 489, Appendix C.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Bowen Island Municipality, https://bowenislandmunicipality.ca)  
**Cost:** Application fee: the greater of $150 or 0.25% of the value of work. Permit fee: $10 for each $1,000 (or part) of value above $1,000 up to $150,000, then $9 for each additional $1,000 (or part) above $150,000, minus the part of the application fee over $150. A 1.0% security deposit applies when the value of work exceeds $15,000.  
**How long:** Pay the application fee when you apply. The Building Department tells you when the permit fee and deposit are ready to pay once the application is approved.  
**Where:**
- Email: Building Department, building@bimbc.ca
- Phone: Building Department, 604-947-4255 ext. 1
- In person: Municipal Offices (in the Community Centre), 580 Bowen Island Trunk Road, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed statutory holidays))

## Key facts

- **Lowest fee:** The building permit application fee is the greater of $150 or 0.25% of the value of work, so $150 is the smallest. Plumbing permits have a $75 minimum; a chimney, heating device or fireplace permit is $75.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 489, 2019 (PDF, consolidated for convenience to November 24, 2025), Appendix C, items 1, 10, 11](https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/341697/)
  - Official wording: "building permit application fee" … "The greater of $150.00 or" … "0.25% of the value of work" … "fee of $75.00."
  - Source: [Building Permit Application Guide, Bowen Island Municipality, Application guide, p. 3](https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/320439/)
  - Official wording: "$150.00 or" … "0.25% of the value of work"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How the fee is worked out:** Permit fee: $10 for each $1,000 (or part) of value of work above $1,000 up to $150,000, then $9 for each additional $1,000 (or part) above $150,000, minus the part of the application fee that exceeds $150. A 1.0% security deposit is also taken when the value of work exceeds $15,000.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 489, 2019 (PDF, consolidated for convenience to November 24, 2025), Appendix C, items 2 and 4](https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/341697/)
  - Official wording: "For each $1,000.00 or part thereof" … "exceeding $1,000.00 up to $150,000.00 of value of" … "For each additional $1,000.00 or part" … "thereof exceeding $150,000.00 of value of" … "1.0% of value of work, when the" … "The portion of the Building" … "Permit application Fees" … "exceeding $150"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Application or plan review fee:** Yes: the application fee (the greater of $150 or 0.25% of the value of work) is paid when applying. The permit fee is reduced by the part of the application fee that exceeds $150.
  - Source: [Building Permit Application Guide, Bowen Island Municipality, Application guide, p. 3](https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/320439/)
  - Official wording: "Building permits are subject to an application fee that must be submitted at the time of the"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 489, 2019 (PDF, consolidated for convenience to November 24, 2025), Appendix C, items 1 and 4](https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/341697/)
  - Official wording: "The greater of $150.00 or" … "The portion of the Building" … "exceeding $150"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Other fees:** Plumbing: $20 per fixture (minimum $75). Demolition: $150 under 500 sq ft, $300 at 500 sq ft or more. Excavation permit $250. Foundation permit $300. Re-inspection (after the second for one type): $100 each. After-hours inspection: $100 minimum plus actual time. Permit transfer $75. Design change review $100. Extensions: $150 or 20% of the permit fee, whichever is greater (first two).
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 489, 2019 (PDF, consolidated for convenience to November 24, 2025), Appendix C](https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/341697/)
  - Official wording: "per fixture with a minimum" … "$150.00 if less than 500 square feet," … "$300.00 if 500 square feet or more" … "Excavation Permit Fee" … "For the issuance of a Foundation Permit" … "more than two inspections are necessary for a" … "Requested after hours inspection." … "$100.00 minimum plus actual time" … "For the transfer of a building permit" … "Plan review for building design modifications" … "$150.00 or 20% of the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to pay:** The application fee is paid with the application. When the application is approved, the Building Department says when the permit fee and deposit are ready to pay. Pay by cheque (mail or drop off at Municipal Hall, 981 Artisan Lane), or by cash or debit in person. Do not e-transfer until given instructions for your application.
  - Source: [Building Permit Application Guide, Bowen Island Municipality, Application guide, p. 3 and 4](https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/320439/)
  - Official wording: "Building permits are subject to an application fee that must be submitted at the time of the" … "The Building Department will notify the applicant once the permit is ready to be issued and that" … "the permit fee and deposit is ready to be paid."
  - Source: [Building Permit Applications Guide, Bowen Island Municipality, Payment](https://bowenislandmunicipality.ca/property-development/building-renovating/building-permit-applications-guide/)
  - Official wording: "You can pay by cheque, either mail to or drop off at Bowen Island Municipality, 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, BC, V0N 1G2." … "Cash and debit card payments are also accepted in person at Municipal Hall." … "Please do not send e-transfer payments until you have received instructions specific to your application."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw No. 489, 2019, Appendix C (Fees), with Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 651, 2024, Schedule A, s. 7.8.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 489, 2019 (PDF, consolidated for convenience to November 24, 2025), Appendix C](https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/341697/)
  - Official wording: "Bowen Island Municipality BYLAW No. 489, 2019 Appendix C - Fees BUILDING PERMIT FEES FEES 1. building permit application fee The greater of $150.00 or"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 651, 2024, Schedule A, s. 7.8](https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/323003/)
  - Official wording: "Building Permit Inspection Fee"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

Bowen Island Municipality sets building permit fees in Appendix C of [Building Bylaw No. 489, 2019](https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/341697/). You pay an application fee when you apply, and the permit fee and a security deposit later.

- **Application fee:** the greater of $150 or 0.25% of the value of work, so $150 is the smallest. The permit fee is reduced by the part of the application fee that is over $150.
- **Permit fee:** $10 for each $1,000 (or part) of value of work above $1,000, up to $150,000, then $9 for each additional $1,000 (or part) above $150,000.
- **Security deposit:** 1.0% of the value of work when it exceeds $15,000. It is returned after an Occupancy Certificate or Letter of Completion.

## Steps

1. Email the application to building@bimbc.ca and pay the application fee with it.
2. When the application is approved, wait for the Building Department to say when the permit fee and deposit are ready to pay.
3. Pay by cheque (mail or drop off at Municipal Hall), or by cash or debit in person. Do not e-transfer until given instructions for your application.

## Good to know

- Other fees: plumbing $20 per fixture (minimum $75); chimney, heating device or fireplace $75; demolition $150 under 500 sq ft and $300 at 500 sq ft or more; excavation permit $250; foundation permit $300.
- Re-inspection after the second one for a type is $100 each. An after-hours inspection is $100 minimum plus actual time. Permit transfer is $75; design change review is $100.
- Extensions cost $150 or 20% of the permit fee, whichever is greater (first two).
- If construction starts before the permit, the permit fee is doubled (to a maximum of $10,000). A Stop Work notice adds a charge equal to 100% of the permit fee (maximum $10,000).
- The [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 651, 2024](https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/323003/) (Schedule A, s. 7.8) also sets a Building Permit Inspection Fee of 0.1% of the value of the work, with a $75 minimum.
- A Regional Transportation Development Cost Charge (for TransLink) is also collected on building permits. The guide does not state the amount, so ask the Building Department.
- The Municipality's FAQ page says payments can also be made to Finance at finance@bimbc.ca, quoting the application number.

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Bylaw No. 489, 2019, Appendix C Fees (PDF)](https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/341697/)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 651, 2024 (PDF)](https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/323003/)
- [Building Permit Applications Guide, Bowen Island Municipality](https://bowenislandmunicipality.ca/property-development/building-renovating/building-permit-applications-guide/)

## Related questions

- [Bowen Island building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/building-permit.md)
- [Bowen Island permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Bowen Island secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/secondary-suite.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permit fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit-fees.md)
- [West Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Gibsons](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Lions Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/building-permit-fees.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/building-permit-fees.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/building-permit-fees.md)

## Sources

- [Building Bylaw No. 489, 2019 (PDF, consolidated for convenience to November 24, 2025)](https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/341697/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 651, 2024 (PDF)](https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/323003/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Permit Application Guide (PDF), Bowen Island Municipality](https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/320439/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Permit Applications Guide, Bowen Island Municipality](https://bowenislandmunicipality.ca/property-development/building-renovating/building-permit-applications-guide/) (read 2026-11-08)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Bowen Island Municipality. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/building-permit-fees/_